Alan DeKok is a former physicist turned cybersecurity pioneer. For the past 27 years he’s been a pioneer in developing, understanding and furthering internet security. His parents owned a farm outside of Ottawa where he grew up picking strawberries and raspberries as a kid. His real love came in the field of technology, particularly with 8-bit computers. That initial interest in computing fueled his choice to earn a master’s in physics from Carleton University. There, he set the stage for an unprecedented career path in network security.
As a graduate student, DeKok participated in building a water-purification system for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. This innovative system achieved an impressive standard of one atom of impurity per cubic meter of water, showcasing his ability to tackle complex scientific challenges. It was his side project in network security that would alter the trajectory of his career.
The Rise of FreeRADIUS
In 1996, DeKok began his professional career as a software developer for Gandalf. The firm focused on building infrastructure for ISDN, a nascent technology for digital data transport over copper phone lines. His experience at Gandalf paved the way for what he’d do next. After the company collapsed, he moved on to CryptoCard, which focused on hardware tokens for two-factor authentication.
During this time, DeKok embarked on a side project that would eventually consume his life: FreeRADIUS. Launched in 1996 by his friend and collaborator, John McMeeken, FreeRADIUS immediately started taking hold all across the industry. Today, it’s estimated that more than 100 million people use this type of software every day to connect to the internet safely and securely. DeKok is well aware of the importance of his work, writing that
“I’d say at least half of the people in the world get on the internet by being authenticated through my software.”
His dedication to improving severe network security has had an incredible success in regards to how users utilize technology today, saving time and resources.
Establishing NetworkRADIUS
In 2008, DeKok founded NetworkRADIUS, currently operating under the name InkBridge Networks. This company has grown to employ experts across Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, all collaborating to support FreeRADIUS and its users worldwide. DeKok leads with a visionary spirit that pushes him to develop new markets and products. Along the way, he makes sure his software remains state-of-the-art.
He’s passionate about security, which he considers an underappreciated dimension of tech. As he puts it,
“You need it, but you never think about it until there’s a crack in it.”
His forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity exemplifies the need for ongoing innovation and flexibility in an increasingly complex digital environment.
DeKok is a believer in the cumulative effect of small improvement over time. He notes,
“You shouldn’t underestimate that ratchet effect of tiny little fixes that add up over time.”
This has been his philosophy on his work to guide and foster a collaborative approach to development.
A Future Focused on Innovation
Looking toward the future, DeKok is still committed to pushing FreeRADIUS forward and continuing to uncover new frontiers within the industry. His deep training in physics has given him different, necessary skills to solve problems. These skills, he feels, give him an edge over most engineers. He points out,
“When I was eventually working in the industry, the techniques that came naturally to me, coming out of physics, didn’t seem to be taught as well to the people I knew in engineering.”
This unique point of view helps him approach problems creatively and pivot swiftly to trends on the rise.
In fact, DeKok’s story began on a farm close to Ottawa. Today, he is a titan of cybersecurity, a role model for countless young techies. He reflects on his unexpected success with humility:
“I never expected to have a company and a lot of people working for me, my name on all kinds of standards, and customers all over the world. But it worked out that way.”
Second, he is personally committed to being innovative and progressive. This commitment ensures that he will continue to be a key figure in the future of internet security.